Do you smoke only top shelf?  Mix and match?  Any machine made?  Ever?

 Cigarette smokers are slaves to their habit.  But, as a cigar smoker, I subscribe to the notion that it's more rewarding to smoke better, not more often.

With that in mind, how many sticks are you burning a day?  And, how often do you change your stick, size, brand, etc? 

New cigar reviews have been submitted and posted! They were all done by our community for our community. Please come check them out or submit your own!

http://www.puff.com/component/option,com_top25/lang,en/task,report_recent/ 

I love living in Florida for many reasons. I like the palm trees and beaches, the warm weather and that most of the cigar manufacturers are here. You can get just about any cigar and you can smoke outside year round ... or can you?

 I am currently bi-coastal in Florida, living part time in both Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa, but that is another story.

 Either way, it is too cold to smoke outside in either place today. It is 30 degrees in Tampa and 40 degrees in Ft. Lauderdale.

 Yesterday,  I smoked a Gurkha cigar by the pool with my laptop as I wrote an article for this site. It was cold though, and I had to come inside right after I finished.

 Today it is too cold to do that without a jacket on. Now I have a better understanding of what our poor BOTL up North go through when they want to smoke a cigar outside in the Winter. Now I feel bad for making fun of them in the past.

Nah! No I don't! Ha ha ha!

This is a question you hear or see often on cigar forums etc.. Do you buy them online? At your local B&M? Many of us have our reason for what we doing, including where we buy our cigars. Taxes, price, where you smoke?

 For me I try to buy most of my cigars from local B&Ms. The reason being is that I enjoy smoking my cigars there, so I try to support them as much as I can. When I first started smoking it was easy. I would only buy a few singles here and there, so buying at the B&M just made sense. And I like seeing what I am buying anyway, which leads me to buy very little online no matter what the product is. It took me awhile before I bought my first box of cigars, which had to do with space, and finding what I wanted to buy a box of and the price of that box. My first box was Camacho Select in Robusto size. And yes I bought it at my local B&M.

Since then I have bought a few more boxes and now have a Cabinet humidor that is almost full. I can't say that I have never bought cigars online because that would be a lie. Last week I just bought a box of Padilla 1932 Torpedos because they where at a cost of just over 50% off my local shop!! Now that was something I just couldn't pass up. I have found some good deals online over the last few years, and have also been burned with "good deals on great cigars" that ended up being "bad deals on crap cigars". But like I said a great price on a cigar I know is good can catch me. Also there may be cigar online I can't get at my B&M, maybe its a small company or a house blend at another shop. Some of these I have been burned on, but with a cigar forum like this is easier to try and find out from others what to expect.

 I have also learned to get better deals at the local B&M. Number one is you will always (at least where I buy) get better deals on boxes the single cigars. Now I don't always have the money to buy boxes so if I know what I want I start saving. Another way to get a better deal is to buy during an event. The last few boxes I have bought at events. The last one was 20% of boxes and freebes depending on how much you bought. The freebes included limted cigars, hats, T-shirts, lighters, cutters, etc... It really was a good deal.

 My point of this blog is if you ever smoke at your local B&M try to support them as best you can. We want this places to stay open!! Of course its never wrong to take advantage of a great deal that comes around, but also be carefull because you can get burned with bad cigars. Now enjoy your smokes.

Thanks for reading.

Hello Cigar Lovers,

My name is Harold A.K.A. (CellarDweller). I was introduced to cigars about 3 years ago by my oldest son Eric. Having been a cigarette smoker for many years and finally giving it up cold turkey I was afraid to try cigars. My fear was that after 8 years of smoke free life that lighting up a cigar would bring back the urge for cigarettes.

After dinner at my sons 30th Birthday he opened up a box of Macanudo Crystal Tubos. Reluctantly I decided that I would give one a try. That first puff of mild creamy smoke was fantastic! I had no idea what a Premium cigar was like. During my cigarette years I had tried machine made cigars and never thought they were good.

This new venture into the Premium Cigar lifestyle was a great turning point for me. After that first Macanudo I was convinced that I had nothing to worry about going back to cigarettes.

A few months later my wife and I went to Florida with my son and daughter in law. He suggested we pick up some cigars to smoke by the pool. Having enjoyed that first Macanudo I wanted to smoke the same thing again. That Florida trip was just the beginning of my cigar journey.

After returning home from our trip I started using the internet to buy different brands to try. I bought books on cigars subscribed to all the magazines about cigars and read various reviews. At this time my younger son David was visiting the local smoke shop to purchase an occasional cigar.Even though I was content making my purchases from the internet I decided to accompany him to the local shop. That was all it took to make my journey complete.

When I saw the humidor lined with cigars of all shapes sizes and strengths my eyes grew wide and I knew I was home. The tobacconist was extremely knowlageable and described all the cigars to me. That was the beginning of my dedication to the fine art of cigars.

Now after 3 years of smoking I still enjoy trying new brands as I relax in my basement. I've spent the last 3 years decorating it with anything I could get my hands on. Pictures, Posters, Boxes, Ashtrays, Cigar bands and empty tubes. My local cigar store Churchills n Down provided me with the hundreds of empty boxes and posters that cover the walls and ceiling. It continues to be an on going project.

Some of my favorite smokes that I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy are in no particular order.

Camacho, Padron, La Gloria Cubano. La Flor Dominicana, Arganese, Fuente, La Aroma de Cuba, Cuestra rey, CAO, Ashton VSG, Perdomo, and many others.

Looking forward to spending time on this site I am always open to reading what others are saying about cigars.

Thanks for the welcome to the site

Harold AKA CellarDweller

Two past times I really enjoy are putting miles on my motorcycles and smoking cigars.  I find therapy in both events.  I'll tell you, when I first started enjoying both of these pasttimes there wasn't much that could keep me from getting out in any kind of weather to enjoy a cigar or a few miles on my Harley.

 I got my Harley Sporster in December of 99.  I'll tell you I rode through that winter with a smile on my face.  Granted commuting to work a few times, I'd take pleasure in following a mini-van, they're good windbreakers.  I never thought much about the weather back then.  I have a few memories of getting caught in the rain wearing a half-shell and sunglasses.  It's amazing how rain drops can find their way behind your glasses.  The sensation is akin to getting a tattoo on your face. 

Over the years, I've stopped subjecting myself to riding in inclement weather which included setting threshholds of cold.  Riding in 20 degrees became 30 degrees, became 50 degrees to I don't think I've been on my bike this winter season.  It's started to zap the life out of me.  I think partially the guys I used to ride with have since moved away or do not ride through the cold anymore.

 The point is, I tend not to get on my bike unless I know or think I'll enjoy the ride.  Has the therapy ended for me?  I used to reflect that the day may have started crappy, but 10 minutes on my bike would reset my psyche and put a smile on my face.  My sweet spot for riding now is probably 65-80 degrees where I can get away with a light jacket or leather with the vents open.

 My journey with cigars has followed a similar trend to my riding days.  I sit here reflecting today, on a day that's probably 20 degrees in Atlanta that I'm a bit bummed that I can't go outside and enjoy a cigar.  I most definately could sit outside and smoke a cigar, but I would lose a lot of the experience to the cold.

At least I have options for a few indoor lounges, but I feel remiss when I find myself at home late in the evening wanting to end the day with a good smoke.  Winter has set in.  I can't wait for Spring!

Seems like a loaded question, but I will do my best to answer it.  The easy answer is my name is Frank AKA tx_tuff. I'm coming over as a Mod on CL where I have been a member since June of 07. I am a cigar smoker, been smoking cigars for about 5 years now. I have expensive taste as my favorite cigar right now is the Padilla 1932, and before that it was the Asgton VSG. But don't get me wrong I'm far from a snob and smoke everything.

 Co-workers got me into cigars but it didn't take long before I was out smoking them. Besides just the taste and relaxing part of the cigar I love going out to events and meeting all the people in the busniess as well as locals that enjoy the hobby just has much as I do. I have meet many many locals in Houston that I know consider good friends thanks to CigarLive. And I'm looking forward to meeting many more once PUFF gets going like it should.

One thing I am not is a blogger or writer! But I thought doing a blog would be fun and it would be one way for people who don't know me to get to know me a little. One thing I really enjoy as a Mod on CL (and as soon as it gets moved here, a Mod on PUFF) is helping members when they need it. Rather its a question, something they need done, whatever I'm here to help. I love getting PMs from them when they need help and if for some reason I can't help I do my best to get the help they need.

I don't know how often I will blog, hopefully at least once a week. Maybe cover some events, maybe do a review, maybe talk about a TV show or a Movie, Kids, I know have three including a Step Son, and maybe just BS. Who knows! But I hope whatever it is that you will enjoy it and I don't piss to many people off LOL.

Thanks for reading.

Cigars and Poker.... These are a few of my favorite things.

Of late, I find myself playing a lot of Texas Hold'em.  I enjoy just about any flavor of poker, but with the popularity of Texas Hold'em, it seems the easiest game to find.

 My favorite Sunday past time is to play in a free tournament hosted at the The Independent (www.theindependentatlanta.com).  Besides the fact that I've been calling The Independent my Oasis away from home for the last 16 years, it's cigar friendly!

I found myself enjoying a Bolivar Corona Gigante this past Sunday while the Tournament started.  The first few inches of the cigar was pretty uneventful.  Nothing in the cigar distracted me from the card play which would probably lead me to make a hasty bet!

In the first blind round I found myself with A-K offsuit in middle late position.  The blinds were 1-2 and found myself acting after an early position raise to 10.  I've played with the raiser on several occasion, while he generally plays tight early, I sensed this raise was a little weak.  I don't like to commit too much pre-flop with A-K unless pressed.  This was one of those times where I felt I needed to push a little harder.  I raised to 60 (starting chips 250)and found everyone folding up the small blind who called.  The early position raiser pushed all-in, 109 on top of the 60 I had raised.

Not really what I was expecting, but I had a decision to make.   Against A-A or K-K I'm in trouble.  Any other pair, it's pretty much a coin flip.  Against A-x I like my odds.  I decided to push all in to isolate the early position raiser.  I was a little surprised to see the small blind call.  I guess he liked his odds.

 A smile came to my face when I saw both players turn over A-Q offsuit.  I couldn't have asked for a better showdown.

I flopped a K, turned a K, the hand was over.  I was in good shape to take me down to the top 3.  I finished third in this tournament after losing with my 5-5 against Ad-4D on this board Q-8-8 Q 10.  Needless to say that Bolivar sure did start to taste better after I took down that pot with A-K.

Hello everyone, my name is Donnie (madurolover). I first became passionate about cigars 5 years ago. I had smoked a few over the years but never really cared one way or the other about them.

 After smoking a nice cigar that was gifted to me I soon discovered that I had a passion for them that I could not ignore. After buying a small humidor (50 count) LOL, I ventured into the online world to do more research on my new found hobby. As I was looking at several different forums I found what was formerly known as Club Stogie. I saw they had a "No Snob Policy which I liked since I had been jumped on by members at other forums for asking the noob questions. I signed up and soon found out that there was a brotherhood among cigar lovers like no other I had ever seen. I became a contributing member and have remained so to this day. I shared in the joys and the sorrows of my fellow brothers and became a better person as a result.

 After hearing of the buyout I was very disheartened because my "online home" was going to be gone. After a little soul-searching I decided that it was not the site that made it home, rather it was the people, many of which I call dear friends. I decided that I was going to do everything in my power to make sure that the members old and new alike would always feel as welcome as I did that first day I signed in. After speaking to a couple of the FOGs I decided to toss my name in the hat for moderator. As luck would have it I was accepted. I must admit that at times it has been very frustrating but overall I feel that if I can help one member to feel as at ease on his first few days as I did on mine that it is worth all of the hassle and negativity that has been thrown towards me.

That is how I got to be where I am now. I hope that after reading this you can understand that I have a deep passion for cigars, this forum, and most importantly, the MEMBERS.

Until next time... Keep Puffin!